sterilant
Microbial elimination agent
A sterilant is a chemical agent that destroys all forms of microbial life, including bacterial spores.
Sterilants are used in medical settings to disinfect instruments and surfaces where complete sterility is required: The surgical tools were treated with a sterilant before the procedure.
The term also applies to chemicals that render organisms incapable of reproduction, as in pest control.
Agent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
- virucideAgent destroying viral pathogens
- fungicideChemical that kills mold
biocide · microbicide · algicide · sanitizer · bacteriostatic · fungicidal
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- irradiateExpose to electromagnetic energy
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- fumigatePurge pests using gas
- decontaminateRemove harmful substances
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- infection controlPreventing pathogen transmission
- surgical instrumentTool for operations
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
- operating roomSurgical procedure venue
Oxidizing disinfectant gas
- hydrogen peroxideOxidizing disinfectant and bleach
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- propylene oxideCyclic ether, three carbons
- chlorineHalogen disinfectant element
bleach · phenolic · alcohol · ozone · chlorhexidine · betadine · isopropanol · mercuric chloride
Managing unwanted organisms
- grain storageBuilding for harvested crops
- hydroponicGrown in water only
germicide
Agent that kills microbes
- bactericideSubstance killing harmful microbes
- sporicideSubstance destroying dormant microbes
- virucideAgent destroying viral pathogens
fungicide · biocide · microbicide · algicide · sanitizer · bacteriostatic · fungicidal
autoclave
Pressurized steam sterilization chamber
- irradiateExpose to electromagnetic energy
- pasteurizeHeat-treat for safety
- fumigatePurge pests using gas
asepsis
Absence of harmful microorganisms
- infection controlPreventing pathogen transmission
- surgical instrumentTool for operations
- wound careTreatment of bodily injuries
operating room · reprocessing · single-use · pharmaceutical · cleanroom
chlorine dioxide
Oxidizing disinfectant gas
- hydrogen peroxideOxidizing disinfectant and bleach
- formaldehydeColorless pungent preservative gas
- propylene oxideCyclic ether, three carbons
chlorine · bleach · phenolic · alcohol · ozone · chlorhexidine · betadine · isopropanol · mercuric chloride · formalin
pest control
Managing unwanted organisms
- grain storageBuilding for harvested crops
- hydroponicGrown in water only
- Biocidesbiocide, biocidal, germicide, germicidal, sanitizer
- sterilizationautoclaving, autoclave, disinfecting, sanitizing, asepsis
- dialyzer partshollow fiber, membrane, header, cartridge
sterilantinoculant
Agent introducing microorganisms
inoculum · growth medium · fertilizer · probiotic · bacterial culture
sterilantcontaminant
Substance that pollutes
inoculant · growth medium · antiseptic · preservative · pathogen
sterilantfertilizer
Soil nutrient supplement
nutrient · probiotic · vitalizer · growth hormone · tonic
sterile, antiseptic, disinfectant, sterilize, sterilized, sterility, sterilizing, aseptic, sterilization